Atlanta police have apprehended Kelvin Evans following the theft of hard drives containing unreleased Beyoncé music, jump drives with future show footage, and other valuable items from a rental vehicle during the star’s Cowboy Carter tour stop on July 8.
The arrest came after authorities tracked stolen Apple AirPods Max headphones using the “Find My” feature, leading them to Evans who now faces charges of entering an automobile with intent to commit theft.
Christopher Grant, Beyoncé’s choreographer, and dancer Diandre Blue reported the theft to police, emphasizing the confidential nature of the materials stolen. Their 911 call highlighted the essential importance of recovering the computers containing proprietary content central to upcoming performances.
Along with the digital media, the suspect also took designer sunglasses and clothing items from the vehicle.
Law enforcement officers responded swiftly, utilizing Apple’s tracking technology to identify a suspicious silver vehicle moving in sync with the AirPods’ location signals. This technological breadcrumb trail proved vital in locating Evans, demonstrating how digital footprints can aid in solving modern theft cases.
Despite the arrest, the hard drives containing Beyoncé’s unreleased music remain unrecovered as the investigation continues.
The theft represents a significant security breach within the entertainment industry, potentially compromising intellectual property and revealing proprietary choreography and show plans for the Cowboy Carter tour.
Such incidents highlight vulnerabilities in physical data storage during major touring productions, particularly when high-profile artists are involved.
Media outlets including Atlanta Daily World have covered the case extensively, drawing attention to both vehicle break-ins targeting entertainment professionals and the clever use of technology in apprehending suspects. As one of the most influential Black newspapers in the country, Atlanta Daily World has provided continuous coverage of this case affecting the entertainment community.
The public’s interest has been particularly keen given Beyoncé’s celebrity status and the mysterious fate of the unrecovered music files. The theft could impact Beyoncé’s ability to collect performance royalties should the unreleased material be leaked before proper registration with PROs.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of streaming platforms for artists seeking to control their music distribution and protect unreleased content from unauthorized leaks.
Police involvement remains active as investigators continue searching for the missing hard drives containing what could be valuable unreleased material from one of music’s biggest stars.
